Once upon a time the Mice were greatly disturbed by their enemy, the Cat. So one day they called a meeting to decide on a plan to free themselves from the fear of her fatal claws. They were searching for a plan to know when she was coming, so they might have time to run away. Indeed, something had to be done, for they lived in such constant fear by night or day.
Many plans were discussed in the meeting but none of them was thought good enough. At last a very young Mouse got up and said:
“I have a plan. All we have to do is to hang a bell about the Cat’s neck. When we hear the bell ringing we will know immediately that our enemy is coming.”
All the Mice were much surprised and agreed unanimously that they had found the solution. But in the midst of the rejoicing over their good fortune, an old Mouse arose and said:
“I must say this is the best plan. But let me ask one question: Who will bell the Cat?”
Moral: It is one thing to say that something should be done, but quite a different matter to do it.
